Fairhaven: her most-known history

Fort Phoenix

Fort Phoenix

Fairhaven, Massachusetts is most know for the state park of Fort Phoenix.  Located at the entrance of the harbor to Fairhaven and New Bedford, Fort Phoenix was vital in saving the towns of Fairhaven and New Bedford during the American Revolution in 1775, where the first naval battle against the British took place.  Soon after, the fort was built to protect the two cities.

Fort Phoenix

In 1778, the fort was attacked and destroyed by the British but was rebuilt so quickly that the name Fort Phoenix was given to the protecting grounds – to symbolize the phoenix rising out of the ashes.

The fort has served in the war of 1812 when, in 1814, it helped deter British attacks off the coast.  The fort was also used during the Civil War.  Eight cannons were placed at the fort, five of which remain there today.

Fort Phoenix

In the early 1900s (1926), the property was bought by Henry Huttleston Rogers’ (one of the most influential figures of Fairhaven) daughter.

H.H. Rogers

Henry Huttleston Rogers (1840-1909) was from Mettapoisett, MA, neighboring city to Fairhaven.  He was a financier and business leader and is known mostly for his involvement in the oil industry and rising to become one of the leaders of Standard Oil.

In Fairhaven, H.H. Rogers is most known for his generosity.  He donated many buildings to the city, including Town Hall, mentioned in a previous post.

Fairhaven High School

Of the buildings donated, Fairhaven High School is the most recognizable.  I initially thought the high school was a government building because of its grandeur and ornate architecture.  The building is absolutely stunning!  H.H. Rogers was very fond of education and educational advancement and donated not only the high school but a grammar school as well.

Additionally, H.H. Rogers donated Millicent Library, still in use today.  I have yet to make a trip inside the library but will soon.

H.H. Rogers’ influence on the city is so influential, in fact, that the main stretch (Route 6) is named after him, Huttleston St.

John Cooke

John Cooke Grave

The last major landmark in the breath-taking city of Fairhaven is the tomb of John Cooke.  Cooke was buried in 1695 and was the last male survivor who came to American off the Mayflower.  This pilgrim made the journey from Plymouth, England to Provincetown, then to Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Finally to find himself and die in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, the city is honored to honor him with a beautiful tombstone in true pilgrim fashion – reflecting the historic Plymouth Rock – an enormous boulder with name plate.

Fairhaven and some New England Architecture

Fairhaven, MA

I recently turned in my notice at the hospital where I worked and Sunday I came to Fairhaven, Massachusetts where I’ll be consulting for the next four months as a credentialed trainer for a medical record software program – Epic.

Upon arriving Sunday, I decided to take a walk and go grab dinner at a restaurant that I’d seen on TripAdvisor known for having some of the best seafood in the area (I’m a huge seafood fan!).

Ocean Wharf

I was stunned at the beautiful, colonial, New England architecture!  It’s also extremely beautiful because I’m not accustomed to being on the waterfront and having the fishing culture around me.  Seeing the words ‘wharf’, ‘bay’, and ‘cape’ at every corner is pretty neat.

The town is right off of the Cape Cod area and not far from Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, or Rhode Island – in fact, I flew into Providence and drove 30 minutes

Fairhaven Town Hall

to Fairhaven.  See my later posts about more of Fairhaven’s history and their involvement in the American Revolution and settlement of our nation.

Tax Collector

For now, as an introductory post about Fairhaven, I want to show some of Fairhaven’s architecture and town hall.  It’s nearly out of a movie!  I absolutely love the door that says “Tax Collector”.  I’m sure it is still the office of the tax collector to this very day even though the building is hundreds of years old.

Fairhaven Town Hall

The beautiful town of Fairhaven, although it seems large because it touches the

surrounding towns without signs of borders nearly, is only 15,000 people.  It was settled in 1659 but was not an established, independent town until 1812.  Pilgrims settled here, people!  This is part of our nation’s history!

Buzzards Bay

The stunning historic buildings are literally steps away from Buzzards Bay.  Fishing boats galore!  Thank goodness for these large and mighty vessels – I can’t get too much seafood here!  Without having to ship the seafood anywhere, I am constantly in shock at how cheap a good seafood dinner is!  That being said, check out my future posts on seafood dinners but also on what I “cook” in a hotel room because, well, I’ll be living in one for the next four months.

More history, architecture, and food adventures follow!